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South Wales Argus
11 hours ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Trump opens his new Scottish golf course before return to US to ‘put out fires'
The US president teed off at The New Course in Menie in front of a crowd including golfers, the Scottish First Minister and the Scottish Labour leader. Mr Trump also made reference to late James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery's reported support for his golf resort – even attempting to recreate the actor's voice. Just before hitting the first ball at the New Course, the US president told those gathered on a grandstand: 'We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful. Mr Trump is concluding his trip to Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) 'The area has really welcomed us. If you remember at the beginning there wasn't quite a welcome, but it wasn't bad. 'But with time they liked us more and more, now they love us and we love them.' Mr Trump added: 'I look forward to playing it today. 'We'll play it very quickly and then I go back to DC and we put out fires all over the world. 'We did one yesterday – you know we stopped the war. We've stopped about five wars. 'That's much more important than playing golf. As much as I like it, it's much more important.' At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the president thanked his son Eric for his role in creating the new 18-hole course, adding: 'This has been an unbelievable development. 'The land, they said it couldn't get zoned, it was an impossibility. 'And Sean Connery said 'let the bloody bloke build his golf course'. 'Once he said that everything came into line. John (Swinney) and I were talking about that last night.' The president thanked his son Eric, who was involved in the creation of the new course (Jane Barlow/PA) The president met First Minister Mr Swinney on Monday evening at a private dinner, and the two had a more formal meeting on Tuesday ahead of the course opening. This meeting is understood to have focused on Scotch whisky tariffs and the situation in Gaza. Mr Trump will head back to the US later on Tuesday on Air Force One, as his Scottish visit comes to a close. Construction of the new course in Menie began in 2023, with Mr Trump and his son Eric breaking ground on the project. Trump International Scotland claims the two courses will be the 'greatest 36 holes in golf'. Critics say the Trump developments in Scotland have not delivered as many jobs as promised and work at the Menie site has caused environmental damage. Members of the media watched the opening ceremony from a grandstand, with music played beforehand including Roxanne, Thriller, and Surfin' USA, plus music by the Script and Elvis. The president has already played several rounds of golf during his Scottish trip, teeing off at his other resort in Turnberry, South Ayrshire, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Trump hit out at the UK's taxes on North Sea oil, saying the natural resource is a 'treasure chest' for the country. He wrote on Truth Social: 'They have essentially told drillers and oil companies that, 'we don't want you'. Donald Trump has tried out the new course at Menie (Jane Barlow/PA) 'Incentivize the drillers, fast. 'A vast fortune to be made for the UK, and far lower energy costs for the people!' The US president's fifth and final day in Scotland on Tuesday follows a meeting and press conference with Sir Keir Starmer on Monday. As they met at Turnberry for bilateral talks on trade and the situation in Gaza, Mr Trump and Sir Keir took part in what proved to be a lengthy media event, with the president discussing a number of topics. The Republican Party leader spoke of his 'great love' for Scotland and said he wanted to see the nation 'thrive'. The president also hosted a dinner at Menie with members of his family and guests including the Prime Minister. A demonstration took place in Balmedie, near the resort, on Monday. A small number of protesters sat at the roadside in the centre of the village, surrounded by cardboard signs bearing anti-Trump slogans.
Glasgow Times
11 hours ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Trump opens his new Scottish golf course before return to US to ‘put out fires'
The US president teed off at The New Course in Menie in front of a crowd including golfers, the Scottish First Minister and the Scottish Labour leader. Mr Trump also made reference to late James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery's reported support for his golf resort – even attempting to recreate the actor's voice. Just before hitting the first ball at the New Course, the US president told those gathered on a grandstand: 'We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful. Mr Trump is concluding his trip to Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) 'The area has really welcomed us. If you remember at the beginning there wasn't quite a welcome, but it wasn't bad. 'But with time they liked us more and more, now they love us and we love them.' Mr Trump added: 'I look forward to playing it today. 'We'll play it very quickly and then I go back to DC and we put out fires all over the world. 'We did one yesterday – you know we stopped the war. We've stopped about five wars. 'That's much more important than playing golf. As much as I like it, it's much more important.' At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the president thanked his son Eric for his role in creating the new 18-hole course, adding: 'This has been an unbelievable development. 'The land, they said it couldn't get zoned, it was an impossibility. 'And Sean Connery said 'let the bloody bloke build his golf course'. 'Once he said that everything came into line. John (Swinney) and I were talking about that last night.' The president thanked his son Eric, who was involved in the creation of the new course (Jane Barlow/PA) The president met First Minister Mr Swinney on Monday evening at a private dinner, and the two had a more formal meeting on Tuesday ahead of the course opening. This meeting is understood to have focused on Scotch whisky tariffs and the situation in Gaza. Mr Trump will head back to the US later on Tuesday on Air Force One, as his Scottish visit comes to a close. Construction of the new course in Menie began in 2023, with Mr Trump and his son Eric breaking ground on the project. Trump International Scotland claims the two courses will be the 'greatest 36 holes in golf'. Critics say the Trump developments in Scotland have not delivered as many jobs as promised and work at the Menie site has caused environmental damage. Members of the media watched the opening ceremony from a grandstand, with music played beforehand including Roxanne, Thriller, and Surfin' USA, plus music by the Script and Elvis. The president has already played several rounds of golf during his Scottish trip, teeing off at his other resort in Turnberry, South Ayrshire, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Trump hit out at the UK's taxes on North Sea oil, saying the natural resource is a 'treasure chest' for the country. He wrote on Truth Social: 'They have essentially told drillers and oil companies that, 'we don't want you'. Donald Trump has tried out the new course at Menie (Jane Barlow/PA) 'Incentivize the drillers, fast. 'A vast fortune to be made for the UK, and far lower energy costs for the people!' The US president's fifth and final day in Scotland on Tuesday follows a meeting and press conference with Sir Keir Starmer on Monday. As they met at Turnberry for bilateral talks on trade and the situation in Gaza, Mr Trump and Sir Keir took part in what proved to be a lengthy media event, with the president discussing a number of topics. The Republican Party leader spoke of his 'great love' for Scotland and said he wanted to see the nation 'thrive'. The president also hosted a dinner at Menie with members of his family and guests including the Prime Minister. A demonstration took place in Balmedie, near the resort, on Monday. A small number of protesters sat at the roadside in the centre of the village, surrounded by cardboard signs bearing anti-Trump slogans.
Western Telegraph
12 hours ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Trump opens his new Scottish golf course before return to US to ‘put out fires'
The US president teed off at The New Course in Menie in front of a crowd including golfers, the Scottish First Minister and the Scottish Labour leader. Mr Trump also made reference to late James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery's reported support for his golf resort – even attempting to recreate the actor's voice. Just before hitting the first ball at the New Course, the US president told those gathered on a grandstand: 'We started with a beautiful piece of land, but we made it much more beautiful. Mr Trump is concluding his trip to Scotland (Jane Barlow/PA) 'The area has really welcomed us. If you remember at the beginning there wasn't quite a welcome, but it wasn't bad. 'But with time they liked us more and more, now they love us and we love them.' Mr Trump added: 'I look forward to playing it today. 'We'll play it very quickly and then I go back to DC and we put out fires all over the world. 'We did one yesterday – you know we stopped the war. We've stopped about five wars. 'That's much more important than playing golf. As much as I like it, it's much more important.' At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the president thanked his son Eric for his role in creating the new 18-hole course, adding: 'This has been an unbelievable development. 'The land, they said it couldn't get zoned, it was an impossibility. 'And Sean Connery said 'let the bloody bloke build his golf course'. 'Once he said that everything came into line. John (Swinney) and I were talking about that last night.' The president thanked his son Eric, who was involved in the creation of the new course (Jane Barlow/PA) The president met First Minister Mr Swinney on Monday evening at a private dinner, and the two had a more formal meeting on Tuesday ahead of the course opening. This meeting is understood to have focused on Scotch whisky tariffs and the situation in Gaza. Mr Trump will head back to the US later on Tuesday on Air Force One, as his Scottish visit comes to a close. Construction of the new course in Menie began in 2023, with Mr Trump and his son Eric breaking ground on the project. Trump International Scotland claims the two courses will be the 'greatest 36 holes in golf'. Critics say the Trump developments in Scotland have not delivered as many jobs as promised and work at the Menie site has caused environmental damage. Members of the media watched the opening ceremony from a grandstand, with music played beforehand including Roxanne, Thriller, and Surfin' USA, plus music by the Script and Elvis. The president has already played several rounds of golf during his Scottish trip, teeing off at his other resort in Turnberry, South Ayrshire, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Trump hit out at the UK's taxes on North Sea oil, saying the natural resource is a 'treasure chest' for the country. He wrote on Truth Social: 'They have essentially told drillers and oil companies that, 'we don't want you'. Donald Trump has tried out the new course at Menie (Jane Barlow/PA) 'Incentivize the drillers, fast. 'A vast fortune to be made for the UK, and far lower energy costs for the people!' The US president's fifth and final day in Scotland on Tuesday follows a meeting and press conference with Sir Keir Starmer on Monday. As they met at Turnberry for bilateral talks on trade and the situation in Gaza, Mr Trump and Sir Keir took part in what proved to be a lengthy media event, with the president discussing a number of topics. The Republican Party leader spoke of his 'great love' for Scotland and said he wanted to see the nation 'thrive'. The president also hosted a dinner at Menie with members of his family and guests including the Prime Minister. A demonstration took place in Balmedie, near the resort, on Monday. A small number of protesters sat at the roadside in the centre of the village, surrounded by cardboard signs bearing anti-Trump slogans.
Scotsman
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Setting out a clear route to Scotland's independence
First Minister John Swinney has confirmed the SNP will seek a majority at the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as the basis for a second referendum (Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire) John Swinney has set out a clear route to securing Scotland's independence by confirming that the SNP will seek a majority at the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as the basis for a second referendum. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... As SNP leader, John is submitting a motion to the SNP conference which I'm certain will secure widespread support. This establishes the terms on which we will ask the people of Scotland to give us a mandate. A majority of SNP MSPs was the basis for the 2014 referendum, secured through the Edinburgh Agreement with the UK Government. Since then, legal and political circumstances have changed. The Supreme Court has ruled that Holyrood does not have the power to legislate for a referendum without Westminster's agreement, and experience over the last parliamentary term has shown that a pro-independence coalition majority does not carry the same force. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad First Minister Swinney has therefore confirmed that the SNP will seek a majority of seats in its own right to establish a mandate to negotiate a legal and internationally recognised referendum for Scotland's place as an independent nation in the European Union. The next Holyrood election will be a choice about who should govern Scotland and how Scotland should be governed. The SNP will make the case for a stronger, fairer country with the powers of independence and the ability to act in line with Scotland's democratic will. As chair of the SNP campaign committee, I look forward to leading the execution of this campaign and returning John Swinney as First Minister in the 2026 Holyrood elections. We will continue to offer a serious programme for day-to-day government and securing the change that Scotland desperately needs with independence. Angus Robertson is SNP MSP for Edinburgh Central and Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Secretary
The Herald Scotland
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Donald Trump to open resort's second golf course on final day in Scotland
Mr Trump will cut the ribbon on a second 18-hole course at his resort in Menie, Aberdeenshire before he flies back to the US on Air Force One. Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump flew to Aberdeenshire from Turnberry on Marine One (Jane Barlow/PA) The president has played several rounds of golf during his Scottish trip, teeing off at his other resort in Turnberry, Ayrshire, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. As they met at Turnberry for bilateral talks on trade and the situation in Gaza, Mr Trump and Sir Keir took part in what proved to be a lengthy press conference, with the president discussing a number of topics. The Republican Party leader spoke of his 'great love' for Scotland and said he wanted to see the nation 'thrive'. He returned to his long-running objections to wind turbines, branding them 'ugly monsters' and speaking of his admiration for North Sea oil and gas. Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump shake hands at Turnberry (Chris Furlong/PA) Discussing the war in Ukraine, Mr Trump said he was 'very disappointed' in Russian President Vladimir Putin and suggested he would bring forward a deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire. The US president called Sir Sadiq Khan a 'nasty person', which prompted Sir Keir to come to the defence of his 'friend' the London Mayor. Construction of the new course in Menie began in 2023, with Mr Trump and his son Eric breaking ground on the project. Mr Trump hosted a dinner on Monday evening (Jane Barlow/PA) Trump International Scotland claims the two courses will be the 'greatest 36 holes in golf'. The second course is expected to be dedicated to the president's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born on the Isle of Lewis. Critics say the Trump developments in Scotland have not delivered as many jobs as promised and work at the Menie site has caused environmental damage. Mr Trump and Sir Keir landed at Menie aboard Marine One, the president's helicopter, which was seen circling the new course before it touched down on Monday evening. People take part in a protest in the village of Balmedie during Donald Trump's visit (Jane Barlow/PA) The president then hosted a dinner at Menie with members of his family and guests including Scottish First Minister John Swinney. A demonstration took place in Balmedie, near the resort, on Monday. A small number of protesters sat at the roadside in the centre of the village, surrounded by cardboard signs bearing anti-Trump slogans.
